
India Make History! Pip Thailand 2-1 To Qualify For AFC Women's Asian Cup
Indian women's football team beat Thailand 2-1 at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026.
Indian women's football team beat Thailand 2-1 at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium to book their place in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 on Saturday. Sangita Basfore netted a brace.
India made history by winning qualifiers to book their spot for the first time in their history.
India had never previously reached the AFC Women's Asian Cup through the qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses last participated in the continent's top tournament in 2003 when there were no qualifiers. India took part in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022 as hosts but had to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak in the squad.
'I want to congratulate my team first. It's because of them that I have been able to score these two goals. A huge thanks to the coaching staff as well," Sangita was quoted as saying after full time.
'Our target is the World Cup. We'll look at that going ahead. I also want to thank the fans and our families for supporting us," she added.
How India Made History?
Coming into the game, Thailand, ranked 46th, 24 places above India were both equal in the qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses achieved flawless victories, defeating Mongolia 13-0, Timor Leste 4-0, and Iraq 5-0. Similarly, the Chabakaew triumphed over the same opponents with scores of 11-0, 4-0, and 7-0, respectively. Both teams now have a goal difference of +22, setting up an imminent knockout clash.
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